1
as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
some therapists believe that certain scents can have a narcotic effect on people
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hypnotic
tending to cause sleep
the lecturer droned on in a narcotic monotone that eventually had the entire class struggling to stay awake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in opiate
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
an irradicable sense of self-righteousness seems to be the narcotic that inures these religious fanatics from any realization of the harm they have done
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of narcotic
Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
He was driven by the ambition to design the most potent narcotic analgesic possible.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Wedding allegedly became a major trafficker of cocaine into Canada and the United States and a ruthless leader who ordered killings, including one of a witness in a 2024 federal narcotics case against him.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Adjective
The bombers could be used to knock out narcotic production and distribution facilities.
—Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
He was driven by the ambition to design the most potent narcotic analgesic possible.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Whitaker added that the girl was not registered in any of the Antioch school district, and that officers did not find evidence of narcotics use.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Wedding allegedly became a major trafficker of cocaine into Canada and the United States and a ruthless leader who ordered killings, including one of a witness in a 2024 federal narcotics case against him.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narcotic
Adjective
-
From sunset yoga and a world-class spa to leisurely strolls under the live oaks and days spent by the pool, activities at the 20,000-acre resort are numerous—and relaxing.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Stick to those consistent sleep and rise times, stay active, establish a relaxing pre-bed routine, and make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet.—
Jamie Ducharme,
Health,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Other artists of this era sought to intervene, guerrilla style, in the apparatuses of advertising, in order to shake consumers from their hypnotic slumber.—
Michael Cowan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Corey’s enormous productions and Ritchie’s conversational flows feel hypnotic in dark rooms over large sound systems, but on an intimate listen, moments like these meander.—
Benny Sun,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When Samson starts coming round in search of more of the morphine darts Kelson has been using to subdue him — not even zombies are immune to the appeal of opiates — Kelson starts treating his wounds, then joining him in his doses, then dancing with him to fragments of ’80s songs.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2026
-
But Clarke is worried about patients losing out on things like steroid injections, which help manage pain without opiates or surgery.—
Jillian Taylor,
StateImpact,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After that, officials decided to use tranquilizer darts to take down the animals believed to be the three adults in the pack before euthanizing them.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Recent years, for example, have seen a major increase in adulteration with the horse tranquilizer xylazine, which knocks users out but doesn’t satisfy the opioid craving.—
Charles Fain Lehman,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In a social, psychological context, Masli is a facilitator, a quirky social worker with a golden leg for an arm, an upswept hairstyle that’s half hair and half hat, a makeshift blue gown that might’ve once been a blanket and a soft-spoken soothing presence.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Being loved does not always feel soothing.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
-
In practice, this gives it mild pain-relieving effects, rather than acting as a strong anesthetic.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The couple's daughter recalled a warm and comforting childhood.—
Nicole Nielsen,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Some of the behaviors most strongly associated with deep, durable love don’t feel comforting in the moment at all.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Unlike traditional sleep aids that rely on masking noise or sedative effects, Spatial Sleep is designed to work with the user’s neurobiology.—
SoundHealth,
New York Daily News,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Security and crew members allegedly tackled and restrained the man while injecting him with the sedative Haloperidol and using three cans of pepper spray.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
18 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Narcotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narcotic. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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